Assault Weapons

[Balrog]

Gun writers and gun magazines used the term assault weapon long before the assault weapon ban.

Some people will tell you there is no such thing, but since an assault weapon has been defined by federal law, I would suggest otherwise. We all know what is meant by the term.

 

[happygeek]

Maybe you should write them and ask them to nail down a definition of the term then. My guess is if they were using it, they were using it as a marketing gimmick and had no better definition than the VPC.

By CA law, my wood stocked, 22 inch barreled, NM M1A is an "assault weapon". But as I previously stated, show a picture of it to the uninitiated and they'd say it's a "hunting rifle". Yes, there's a legal definition, but it varies from state to state, and doesn't even exist in most states. Also as previously stated, in some states a lever action rifle with a 11 round tube is an "assault weapon", so the term isn't even all semi-autos (and even the VPC didn't include non semi-autos in their definition of "assault weapon"). Really the only common part of all the various definitions is that it's a firearm.

Ok, there we go. All firearms are "assault weapons". I nailed down a definition.

 

[ohgrady]

All these possible definitions are confusing..........Everyone knows assault rifles have the "shoulder thing that goes up."

 

[Cutter]

Old video, but it brings forth the misuse of the term by the media and others who are uninformed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjM9fcEzSJ0&feature=player_embedded

 

[Zoogster]

Anyone who thinks they know the definition is wrong.

The term is a legal term, and a political term.
It changes each time you change jurisdictions where it is used.
Even within a jurisidiction the tame changes as case law modifies it, and as new legislation expands the definition.
The definition has changed many times in California for example.

This can be an assault weapon some places:





Even a single shot in.50 BMG is held to assault weapon legislation in California.


The federal definition no longer exists because the legislation that defined it is no longer current.
Most proposed reinstatements include just a single line that would greatly expand the definition.
Like allowing the attorney general to name anything an assault weapon.
Or reduce the number of allowable "evil" features from 2 to 1.

It is currently undefined at the federal level and is defined differently in various states and locales.

 

[Balrog]

The federal definition no longer exists because the legislation that defined it is no longer current.

I don't see why everybody gets their panties wadded up over this term.

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

Oh this is a fun topic. If the MSM broke in with a story about a guy killing 30 people in the local mall, using a "conglobe whirlyshot" would you know what the MSM was talking about? Probably not. However, replace "conglobe whirlyshot" with "assault weapon" and magically everyone knows. It doesn't even matter what type of gun was used. What matters is that it was an assault weapon.

Problem is, the term "assault weapon" is subjective. It automatically conjures up a picture of a menacing, evil looking black weapon in the minds of most people who generally wouldn't know one gun from another. This is what the anti-gunners want. Their agenda is to demonize all guns. Therefore the use of the term "assault weapon" is their "battle cry" to get the ignorant to jump into action against all guns.

 

[theotherwaldo]

When they say "assault", they really mean "scarey".

Any weapon that scares a Liberal is an assault weapon.

Any weapon that would-be Leftist revolutionaries are afraid of facing is an assault weapon.

Simple, yes?

 

[GrimmLV]

To answer the OP:

From... This Site

Musket - The most commonly used firearm during the Revolutionary War was the muzzle-loaded musket. The musket was the primary weapon for thousands of British and Continental Army soldiers. Revolutionary War muskets were commonly equipped with bayonets, which were useful against cavalry and in close combat. America's ability to arm its force with flintlock muskets as they mobilized was a critical challenge early in the war.

Muskets used in the Revolutionary War included the Brown Bess, the Charleville, and the Kentucky long rifle.

Some Examples - http://www.11thpa.org/weapons.html

 

[grahluk]

"The only reason you even hear about them is that the media hyperventilates over each and every one of those murders that were committed with a evil black rifle, much the way shark attacks are blown way out of proportion."

Very good point. I'll file that as another humorous way to deflate the issue. Shark attacks always make national news. People getting drunk and falling overboard or off a bridge are much more likely but don't prick the public's fears.